Launching the Czech edition of Commando Subaltern at War: (left to right) Marcel Nekvinda, publishing director, W.G. ('Bill') Jenkins, author, and Jan Matthus, translator.
The Czech edition of Commando Subaltern at War: Royal Marine Operations in Yugoslavia and Italy, 1944–1945 by W.G. Jenkins appeared recently, and the author writes here of his trip to help launch the book:
It was amazing to learn that my book was to be published in Czech. The translator, Jan Matthus, got in touch with me to clarify the vernacular expressions and some technical points. He asked if I would come over for a small presentation that he was organising to launch the Czech edition, so my wife and I decided to look round the historic city of Prague beforehand.
I phoned Jan from our hotel to discover that he had arranged for me to hold a seminar at the Czech Military Academy. We caught an earlier train to Brno and there was just time to grab a quick cup of coffee before I found myself in a large lecture hall full of young officers from the Military History and Intelligence departments. With a captain acting as interpreter they questioned me on Commando operations, the situation in Yugoslavia in the 1940s and today, and officer training at Sandhurst. Over convivial drinks with some colonels and a major afterwards I in turn found out a bit more about Czech military organisation.
Marcel Nekvinda, the Czech publishing director, also owns a small cafe, so the guests at the presentation the next evening were able to sit informally with drinks and snacks. I gave a short prepared speech, with Jan acting as interpreter. Then he read an extract from the book. Once again there was lively questioning for over an hour – the young ladies were more interested in personal feelings. All twenty of the books which were taken to the function were sold on the spot, so I had a busy time signing them, and making sure that I spelt people's names correctly. Throughout our visit to the Czech Republic we were much impressed by the openness and friendliness of everyone we met.
We at Greenhill have no doubt that this first-hand account of wartime operations in Yugoslavia and Italy will meet with deserved success in the Czech edition. Other Greenhill books available or soon to be published in Czech include Sagittarius Rising by Cecil Lewis, The War of Atonement by Chaim Herzog, and The Hitler Options edited by Kenneth Macksey.
The original English edition of Commando Subaltern at War was welcomed on first publication:
'A vivid insight into the realities of combat and the role of junior officers both on and (equally important) off the battlefield. ..Fluently written and well illustrated, this is a book which can be read with profit by officer cadets and instructors alike, and which is thoroughly recommended by this review.'
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